SAP OPC
Data Access (SAP ODA) 
Use
Based on the industry standard OLE for Process Control (OPC), SAP offers the SAP OPC Data Access (SAP ODA) component. It supports data exchange between the SAP system and process control systems from different vendors. You can use SAP ODA to receive items (data points) and events from the process control level automatically or on request and write values in the SAP system.
In addition, SAP ODA comprises a number of different functions for system administration. One of the components of SAP ODA is the SAP ODA Connector, which is located outside the SAP System.
See:
Basic Concepts
of OPC and SAP ODA
SAP ODA
Functions
Benefits of SAP ODA
No
custom-programming or additional middleware is required to use OPC. Unlike the
existing 
PI-PCS Interface,
no certification of the individual process control systems by SAP is required
with SAP ODA. Thus, the installation and configuration effort is negligible.
Differences Between SAP ODA and PI-PCS
SAP ODA does not replace the existing PI-PCS interface. The two interfaces have different communication capabilities and complement each other. Note the following differences:
SAP ODA |
PI-PCS Interface |
· SAP ODA supports manual or semi-manual processes where interaction is a requirement. By pressing a button in the PI sheet, variable values from fully automated process steps in external systems can be read or set synchronously. · In its current version, SAP ODA only works unidirectional, which means that the SAP System always represents the client. · Since OPC is a general industry standard, individual systems need not be certified by SAP. There is no need for additional programming. · SAP ODA only supports the transfer of single values. |
· The PI-PCS interface supports fully automated processes. You can, for example, automatically send messages to the SAP System whenever certain events occur. · The SAP system transfers complete control recipes to process control. After they have been processed, externally recorded data is sent back to the SAP System, where it is posted. · PI-PCS is a proprietary interface developed by SAP. To link external systems to the SAP System via the PI-PCS interface, these systems must implement interfaces and can have them certified by SAP. · PI-PCS supports a transaction logic that comprises complete business processes. This means that the SAP system can only process complete process messages of a certain process message category (for example, material movement using PI_CONS).
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